For others who feel that way, T-Mobile on Wednesday quietly rolled out "Data Only" Simple Choice plans for smartphones that never actually get used to make a call.

The end result are cheaper plans for those who just don't need voice.

Save $30/mo by Ditching Voice

These plans are not actually new - they have been marketed to the deaf community for a while now. But starting March 30th, 2016 - T-Mobile has made these plans available to anyone who asks.

But you do have to ask - they are not available on T-Mobile's website, and most retail reps will probably not be familiar with them.

While certainly not for everyone, particularly for a secondary line these new plans are a pretty sweet deal - coming in at $30/mo less than the same sized smartphone plans with voice support.

For RVers who want multiple carriers in their arsenal, this presents an easy way to activate a SIM card with T-Mobile for data that doesn't require also having a compatible data only device like a tablet or mobile hotspot. If you have a T-Mobile compatible unlocked smartphone you already use on another carrier, you can keep an activated SIM card ready to swap in when desired.

Here are the Data Only plan rates:

2GB High Speed Data - $20/mo

6GB High Speed Data - $35/mo

10GB High Speed Data - $50/mo

14GB High Speed Data - $65/mo

18GB High Speed Data - $80/mo

22GB High Speed Data - $95/mo

These Data-Only smartphone lines are priced the same as T-Mobile's Mobile Internet Plans for tablets and hotspots, and include the same data allotment - which can be used to USB tether or create a personal Wi-Fihotspot.

While these plans do not include any voice minutes, they do include unlimited text messaging - which the Mobile Internet Plans do not include.

These plans also include all the typical T-Mobile features - Mobile Without Borders, Binge On (the unlimited video streaming component only available on 6GB of higher plans), Data Stash, Music Freedom, and the rest.

T-Mobile confirmed to us that indeed the only difference between a Mobile Internet plan (tablet and hotspot) and a Data Only smartphone plan is indeed the addition of text messaging capability.

What About Unlimited Data?

T-Mobile still offers unlimited data - but only with a voice plan.

The voice plans start at $50/mo for 2GB, go to 6GB for $65/mo, then 10GB for $80/mo. The next step up is unlimited data for $95/mo, but that "unlimited" data plan only supports 14GB/mo of tethering, and is subject to "network de-prioritization" after 25GB of usage.

For those focused on tethering - the new Data Only plans actually have bigger data buckets to tap into.

Key "Data Only" Questions:

What if you try to make a phone call? - The only phone number that you can call is 911. Any other attempts at a voice call (incoming or outgoing) will result in a spoken message indicating that there is no voice plan on the line. But of course, you can always make calls other ways - using Skype, Google Voice, or any other VOIP app of your choice.

Can you get the $10 discount? - If you have a voice line active with T-Mobile, you get $10/mo off any Mobile Internet plan you also have with T-Mobile, bringing the starting price down to just $10/mo. These new Data Only plans do NOT qualify for this discount - so if you have a voice line and can do without text messaging on your secondary line, you may be able to save $10/mo if you sign up with a tablet or hotspot and then just transfer the SIM into your data-only phone.

Chris has been a full-time technomad since 2006, and currently splitting time exploring North America by boat and RV with his partner Cherie.
A lifelong geek, he was one of the founding editors of 'boot Magazine' (still going strong as 'Maximum PC'), and before hitting the road full time he was the Director of Competitive Analysis for mobile technology pioneers Palm & PalmSource.
Keeping up on mobile technology is a passion for him. Chris is one part of Technomadia (view their personal Mobile Internet Setup) and co-founder/host of the Mobile Internet Resource Center.

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